Interaction of Ru^III(EDTA) with cellular thiols and O₂: biological implications thereof

Abstract

Reaction of [Ru^III(EDTA)(CyS)]²⁻ (edta⁴⁻ = ethylenediaminetetraacetate; CySH = cysteine) with molecular oxygen (O₂) has been studied as a function of pH (4.0–8.0) and cysteine concentration (0.2–2.0 mM) at room temperature (25 °C). Biological activities of the [Ru(EDTA)]/CySH/O₂ system pertaining to cleavage of supercoiled plasmid DNA to its nicked open circular form has been explored in this work. Results are discussed in regard to the reaction of the ruthenium(III)-complex with molecular oxygen) and a working mechanism is proposed for the biological activities of the ruthenium(III)-complex in the presence of O₂.

Keywords:

• Ru(III)-EDTA complex
• Cysteine
• Redox reaction
• DNA cleavage

Acknowledgement

This article is a small tribute to Rudi’s immense contributions to the mechanistic chemistry. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the warm response and valued guidance I received during the last one and half decade. I really hope that Rudi will enjoy reading this article which is closely related to his area of research. Let me wish him good health and much success in his further scientific pursuits.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.